THE LATEST

Two New Guides Offer Tips and Resources to Reduce Overdose Risk During Reentry

People reentering the community from incarceration are at the highest risk of an overdose or death during the first 48 hours after release. The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) recently released two pamphlets, one for reentry professionals and one for families, to support recovery and help people avoid relapse during this critical period of time and beyond. The primer for reentry professionals details 5 best practices to mitigate this risk, including developing relapse prevention plans and using medications to treat opioid use disorders. The guide for families outlines practical ways they can support their loved ones during reentry, including tips and online resources to foster positive social connections and help people navigate the challenges of reentry.

FEATURED RESOURCES AND NEWS

💻 New Resources

New Webpage for Corrections Leaders Highlights Importance of Recent Medicaid Changes

Attention Corrections Leaders: Recent Medicaid changes can transform health care for people who are incarcerated or transitioning back to the community. A new National Reentry Resource Center webpage, created in partnership with BJA, offers everything you need to take advantage of these updates, including an overview of new legislation and guidance, insights into the current Medicaid and corrections landscape, upcoming events, and key resources. Explore how these changes can improve health outcomes and reduce recidivism.

🏛️ Federal Guidance

Transforming Crisis Response: Federal Guidance Outlines How Behavioral Health Professionals Can Reduce Harm and Minimize Law Enforcement Involvement

Too often, police officers are sent to respond to people in behavioral health crisis when a behavioral health expert would have better met their needs. With guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, policymakers and local officials can learn more about strategies to support crisis response efforts that minimize contact with law enforcement and reduce harm. These strategies emphasize the importance of community crisis response programs, where behavioral health professionals are the first or co-responders to a 911 call, and of building comprehensive crisis systems with community-based crisis centers and other supports available to address people’s needs.

📄 Web Article

Photo Credit: New Jersey State Capitol by Lowlova via Wikipedia Commons

New Jersey Passes Groundbreaking Community Responder Legislation

Earlier this year, New Jersey became one of only a few states to pass legislation to support the statewide development of community responder programs. The Seabrooks-Washington Community-Led Crisis Response Act was initiated in response to growing calls to reform the state’s emergency response systems. Support from leaders at all levels and from different backgrounds made passage possible. Learn about this landmark legislation and how the state’s attorney general, community advocates, and law enforcement professionals worked together to ensure it was passed in a new web article detailing three takeaways. A complementary web article offers perspective from a key champion of the legislation.

Editor’s note: Many of the collaborative efforts underway in New Jersey were examined as part of the development of the Expanding First Response Commission’s report released earlier this year.

📝 Publication

What Correctional Agencies Need to Know about the Medicaid Section 1115 Reentry Demonstration Opportunity

With new guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, states can now secure Medicaid funding to support health care services for people up to 90 days before their release with an approved waiver. This brief, developed with support from BJA and in partnership with the Center for Health Care Strategies, explains how state and local corrections agencies can leverage this opportunity to improve health outcomes, support recovery, and enhance reentry success.

UPCOMING EVENT

In-Person Conference

2024 National Conference on Youth Justice

📅 November 19–21, 2024

📍Washington, DC

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Join the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) for three days of inspiration, innovation, and connection at the 2024 OJJDP National Conference on Youth Justice November 19 to 21, 2024, in Washington, DC. OJJDP’s first in-person conference since 2011 will bring together youth and families, grantees, leading researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders from across the U.S. who are working to transform juvenile justice. Attendees can expect 91 workshops, 2 plenary sessions, and youth networking events all aimed at “Shaping the Next 50 Years” in juvenile justice. A wide range of youth justice and delinquency prevention topics will be covered, and sessions geared toward youth and families will be available.